Society's Bellwether

Nelson Mandela said it simply and profoundly, "There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children." In a country as wealthy, ingenious and resourceful as the United States, one would think that our Care and Treatment of Children would be stellar, the very best. But that’s just not the case. Truth is, using Mr. Mandela’s axiom, I think America has lost its “soul.”

Let’s start with California. When analyzed for Child Well-Being in four domains, Economic, Health, Education, and Family and Community Wellbeing, California ranks 40th of our 50 states. Nearly 25% live in poverty and 51% in financially unstable families. 73% of fourth graders are not proficient in reading, 72% of eighth graders are not proficient in math and nearly 20% are struggling to complete high school or graduate with their class (2014 CA KidsCount Profile).

Nationally, we don’t look any better. The child poverty rate is slightly less than 25%. According to UNICEF, the United States has the highest child-poverty rate of the 24 Western/industrial nations!

2.5 million children are homeless, one in every 30 children, which substantially increases the potential for Child Welfare Services involvement. The stress associated with being homeless or living doubled up can exacerbate punitive parenting practices, leading to physical abuse or compromise the ability of parents to meet their children’s basic needs, leading to neglect. Being homeless or precariously housed can also exacerbate other problems, including mental health and substance use disorders, which are common among child welfare involved families.[1]

According to a 2011 World Bank report, the United States ranks 46th when it comes to infant mortality, coming in behind Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, even behind Korea and Cuba. Every year, twice the number of U.S. babies die on their first day alive than in all 27 European Union nations combined, although 1 million more are born there (4.3 million versus 5.3 million respectively). And yet, we have an entire political party that wants to cut off health insurance to millions of American children!

Academically, of the 57 industrialized nations, the United States ranks 23rd in math and reading competency. The United States ranks 22nd amongst 24 industrialized countries in terms of literacy, the number of books per family and family emphasis on reading.

Most alarming to me–-having spent four and a half decades serving children with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), in essence, victims of trauma–-in our country, every ten seconds there is a report of child abuse or neglect, three million per year involving six million children and youth; nearly one million sustained cases of child maltreatment per year. According to UNICEF Child Report Card, of the 24 economically advanced countries, the United States ranks dead last with regard to Children’s Health and Safety, and second to last with regard to children and youth risk prevention. Not only does this speak ill of our country’s treatment and value of children, it comes at tremendous social, emotional, mental, physical and financial cost. Let me articulate:

Individuals who reported serious or chronic child abuse (ACE) had an average life expectancy two decades less than those reporting no ACE’s, and dramatically increased risk for heart disease, COPD, liver disease and other life-threatening maladies specifically tied to reported child abuse.

Children and youth victims of child abuse are 60% more likely to become alcohol and/or drug abusers than the general population. In one study, 80% of 21-year-olds reporting child abuse had been diagnosed with at least one mental disorder. Two thirds of individuals in substance abuse treatment nationally report being victims of child abuse.[2]

In 2012, state agencies identified an estimated 1,640 children who died as a result of abuse and neglect – between four and five children a day! However, studies also indicate significant undercounting of child maltreatment fatalities by state agencies by 50% or more. According to the KidsCount, 70% of these deaths were children two years old or younger and 80% were under five. Additionally, 80% of child abuse deaths were at the hand of a parent or parent figure.

Children who experience child abuse and neglect are about nine times more likely to become involved in criminal activity.

The financial impact of child abuse and neglect is staggering. For new cases in 2008 alone, lifetime estimates of lost worker productivity, health care costs, special education costs, child welfare expenditures and criminal justice expenditures added up to $124 billion.[3] This could send 1.7 million children to college!

I’m afraid that America has “sold its soul,” sacrificing its children on the altar of greed and the pursuit of wealth for a favored few. I find it ironic, rather paradoxical but very sad, that the “red” states who so strongly embrace “family values” are the states with the worst records for child wellbeing. If they were sincere, the opposite would be true.

April is National Month of the Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month. Let this be a reminder that we must persevere in restoring the “soul” of our society and improving the outcomes for our children and youth. There is no higher priority than this! And, let us be haunted by the words of Nelson Mandela, "There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children."

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About FCNI

The Family Care Network, Inc. is a not-for-profit Community-Based Organization serving children, youth and families impacted by trauma in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. FCNI provides intensive support and services to our community's most vulnerable, empowering them to live healthier lives and achieve their goals.